Surgical Sound

Surgical Sound - June 22, 2005

Last week I went down to Wrigleyville to catch one of my favorite bands, American English perform at the Cubby Bear. The night was steeped in history, both Cubs and Beatles. Between sets I walked up to the stage and took a really close look at the Beatle instruments that had created that wonderful music. To me the experience was much like looking at a museum exhibit--antique objects —basic, simple and sturdy. Primitive. It was a wonder that they were able to make so many amazing sounds and songs with this stuff. This period really was the stone age of rock. I wondered about what they might do if they had all the options that were available today.

Ever think about stuff like that?This got me thinking about my own Guild D44. The guild is only a handful of years newer than the Beatle Guitars—she’s over 30!!! The only modernization that I’ve added was a 1994 DiMarzio DP132 sound-hole pickup in 2002. That’s it in over 30 years! I wonder if people watching me perform where thinking that I was playing with a museum exhibit!!!

As it turns out my children and I took a little shopping trip to Guitar Center on Fathers Day (those who know me disregard what I used to say about it being a Hallmark Holiday OK?). We went into the Acoustic room for a long time. The Acoustic room is like a huge cigar humidor, only instead of Cubans, it’s got Martins and such. I started pulling down guitars from the wall and playing. I was looking for 2005.

Technology has invaded all areas of life, even the relatively untouched realm of the acoustic guitar. Many of them had features that I liked but only one had them all. I had found 2005.I took her home and ran her through the show. The plugged in sound was simply amazing ( the D44 still is the worlds best sounding unamplified guitar). But I’ll tell you I was throwin’ down some Hoochie Coochie on my new baby and I was just slapping myself with the sound on those punchy accent chords-POW! Aural light saber, surgical sound. 2005. I can slice peoples ears off with this guitar--gotta be careful...

In case you are wondering, I haven’t really thrown the D44 over though—you’ll still hear her magnificent sound on “Feel Something”, after all she still is the worlds best sounding unamplified guitar. I simply removed the sound hole pickup and returned her back to the way I found her back 1974--pristine, pure. Dare I say even virginal? I'll always love her--no strings attached.

Peace, Love
g-man